Twelve Days of Christmas Nursery Rhyme With Lyrics

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” is a fun and engaging nursery rhyme that captures the festive spirit of Christmas. With its catchy tune and repetitive lyrics, it’s easy for kids to learn and sing along, making it a holiday favorite. Children love the rhyme for its whimsical list of gifts, and its sing-song nature makes it a delightful way to spend time with family. Beyond the fun, it also supports early learning by enhancing memory skills, teaching sequencing, and improving language development.

Twelve Days of Christmas Song Lyrics

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” is a well-loved holiday song that many children enjoy singing, especially during the Christmas season. Here are the full lyrics:

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Other Versions of Twelve Days of Christmas Song

There are several versions of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song, with different variations and adaptations around the world. Here are a couple of popular ones:

1. The 12 Days of Christmas (Children’s Version)

This version simplifies the traditional rhyme, making it easier for children to understand and enjoy:

• First day of Christmas: A teddy bear in a tree
• Second day of Christmas: Two bouncing balls
• Third day of Christmas: Three toy cars
• Fourth day of Christmas: Four shiny stars
• Fifth day of Christmas: Five fluffy puppies
• Sixth day of Christmas: Six colorful balloons
• Seventh day of Christmas: Seven toy trains
• Eighth day of Christmas: Eight cookies baking
• Ninth day of Christmas: Nine bouncing kites
• Tenth day of Christmas: Ten jumping frogs
• Eleventh day of Christmas: Eleven sparklers shining
• Twelfth day of Christmas: Twelve presents wrapped in fun

This playful version keeps the structure intact but replaces the traditional gifts with things that are more familiar and exciting for kids.

2. The Twelve Days of Christmas (Parody Version)

This humorous version adds a funny twist to the classic rhyme, often used for entertainment:

• First day of Christmas: A partridge in a pizza tree
• Second day of Christmas: Two cats a-meowing
• Third day of Christmas: Three hotdogs sizzling
• Fourth day of Christmas: Four elves a-dancing
• Fifth day of Christmas: Five golden donuts
• Sixth day of Christmas: Six penguins sliding
• Seventh day of Christmas: Seven pizzas flying
• Eighth day of Christmas: Eight snowflakes melting
• Ninth day of Christmas: Nine cupcakes frosting
• Tenth day of Christmas: Ten marshmallows bouncing
• Eleventh day of Christmas: Eleven clowns a-jumping
• Twelfth day of Christmas: Twelve robots marching

This parody version introduces quirky, modern gifts and playful images that are sure to make listeners smile.

Gestures – How to Teach Twelve Days of Christmas to Kids

Teaching children the “Twelve Days of Christmas” can be a fun, interactive experience with the help of gestures. Here’s how to guide kids through the rhyme with simple, movement-based gestures:

• Partridge in a pear tree: Place hands on top of your head to mimic the shape of a tree, then point to the sky as if offering the partridge.
• Two turtle doves: Form a heart shape with your hands to symbolize love and affection, mimicking the doves flying.
• Three French hens: Hold up three fingers, flutter your hands like feathers, and make a clucking sound to represent the hens.
• Four calling birds: Place hands near your mouth and pretend to call, mimicking bird calls with “chirp chirp.”
• Five golden rings: Circle both hands around your fingers as if showing off rings, giving them a sparkle motion.
• Six geese a-laying: Hold your hands out flat and make gentle motions like you’re laying eggs, bending down slightly.

History & Quick Facts

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” is a traditional Christmas song that originated in England in the 18th century. It was first published in 1780 in a children’s rhyme book, though its origins likely go back even further. The song is believed to have been created as a memory and counting game, with each verse adding more items. Over time, the rhyme became a popular part of Christmas celebrations and spread around the world, becoming a staple of the holiday season.

Interesting Facts

• The rhyme is based on the twelve days of Christmas: The twelve days represent the period from Christmas Day to the Epiphany on January 6.
• It was originally a game: The rhyme was once used as a memory game, where each person would add a gift to the list.
• The song has been translated: It has been translated into many languages, making it a global holiday favorite.
• The melody is traditional: The tune is believed to be a French melody dating back to the 16th century.
• There are modern variations: Many parodies and versions of the rhyme exist today, including humorous and child-friendly adaptations.
• It’s often featured in Christmas performances: The song is regularly sung at holiday concerts, schools, and family gatherings, adding to its widespread popularity.

Suitable Age & Learnings

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” rhyme is best suited for children aged 3 to 7 years old. It provides an opportunity to learn through repetition, music, and gesture-based activities. Here are some key lessons, skills, and vocabulary words that children can learn:

• Counting: Children learn how to count as they repeat the numbers in the song.
• Memory: The rhyme encourages kids to remember the increasing number of gifts each day.
• Sequencing: Kids can learn to sequence events, as each verse builds on the previous one.
• Animal names: The rhyme introduces a variety of animals, such as doves, hens, and swans.
• Listening skills: As kids follow the song, they improve their listening skills to catch each new gift in the rhyme.
• Vocabulary: Children learn new words like “partridge,” “turtle doves,” and “swans,” which broaden their vocabulary.

FAQs

1. What is the rhyming scheme of Twelve Days of Christmas?

The rhyming scheme of “Twelve Days of Christmas” is a repetitive pattern where each verse starts with “On the ___ day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…” and builds with an additional gift every time.

2. Why do kids love singing the Twelve Days of Christmas?

Children enjoy singing “Twelve Days of Christmas” because it has a catchy tune, fun movements, and repetitive lyrics that are easy to memorize and sing along with.

3. How can I make the rhyme more interactive for kids?

To make the rhyme more engaging, incorporate simple gestures or movements to represent each gift, allowing kids to act out parts of the song as they sing.

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” is a timeless and engaging nursery rhyme that brings joy to both children and adults. Its repetitive nature makes it a perfect tool for early learning, fostering memory, language, and motor skills. By adding gestures and fun variations, kids can connect even more deeply with the rhyme. Whether singing along or using it as a memory game, this holiday classic is a wonderful way to celebrate the season. As families gather to enjoy the song, it will continue to be a cherished tradition that brings warmth and togetherness to the holiday season.